Here are the two key things Brian Cashman said today about Nick Swisher:

“We acquired him for the purpose of plugging him into the lineup on an everyday basis.”

Then a few minutes later:

“Heâ€™s at average at best in center field and itâ€™s as simple as that. Heâ€™s a guy who can give us plus defense at the corners and at first base and we could play him in center field if we chose to do that. But weâ€™d be looking for a different type of profile for that position, quite frankly. â€¦ Center field would be more of an insurance policy for us.â€

So if Swisher is playing every day and he’s not playing center field, he’s the first baseman. Unless Cashman blows it all up and starts trading corner OFs.

Swisher also fits what Cashman and Girardi have been saying since August: That the Yankees need to be younger, more athletic and better on defense.